Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-10
GIBRALTAR.
A RICHMOND aENrLHNAx's VISIT TO
TIKI GREAT STRONGHOLD.
some History Of the Placs-Tho sieges
It Has Been Subjected To-
The Bay.


Especial correspondence Of the Dispatch.l
The Mediterranean was once, proba-
bly, more than now. an inland lake.
A casual examination Of map Of
Spain and adjacent Africa makes this
quite apparent. The two continents OF
Europe and Africa were united at their
western extremity. The geological
formation OF the confronting coasts is
identical, and the monkeysof Gibraltar
have their native habitat in Africa,
there being mono elsewhere in Europe.
The last statement is, of course, not
very conclusive.
The Straits OF Gibraltar stretch from
Cape Trafalgar and Cape Spartel, in the
west. to Europa point snd Centa point,
in the east. Gibraltar and Mons
Abylo. one Of the seven peaks OF the
mountains OF Conta, were the famous
Pillars Of Hercules. In the reign OF
Charles V. the columns were added to
the royal ar1nsof Spain, with the motto,
Plus UHrd-the discovery OF America
and the extensive donlinions Of the
Spanish monarchy making the ancient
nc j,ius ultra wholly inapplicable.
Gibraltar physically is peculiar. II
is bold promontory, pushing out into
the SEQ, an oblsng peninsula, running
north and south. with circumference
OF about seven miles. The greater
portion is rock OF compact limestone,
containing the bones OF animals OF OK
istent and extinct species, and rises
from the sea like monstrous mono
18th, a gigantic sphinx" On the
north IL is connected with the main
land by narrow, sandy isthmus, over
which is the regular, much-travelled
road into Spain. On the eastern side,
facing the sea, is an inaccessible cliff,
bare OF vegetation, presenting very
striking appearance as one approaches
from Africa. On the northern side the
mountain rises almost perpendicularly
to height of nearly ]. 400 feet. The
greatest height is 2,S0S feet. The
Crock" is generally barren. but
boianists have found ass species OF
indigenous Towering plants and ferns.
As plcof Of the absence OF vegetation
NAV be cited on order OF the garrison
in 1855, which prohibits the infliction
OF the punishment OF running the
gauntlet "for want OF twigs.
In I'll n Moorish chief. Tarik-lbu-
Ieycd, crossed the sea with an army.
captured the Rock, and from him was
derived the name Gebel-Tarik, or the
Mountain of Tarik. which by an easy
corruption became Gibraltar When
Spanish arms gained the ascendancyln
Andalusia and other southern pro-
vinces the Moors were gradually ex-
PEELED from poiht to point until in 1910
fbev we're dispossessed from their last
foothold and cast destitute on the shores
whence their ancestors had proceeded
nine centuries before. When Isabella
made her will she required her success
sors to hold the city Of Gibraltar and
never ALLEVIATE from the Crown OF
Castillo.
ENGLAND's CAPTURE.
During the war of the Spanish sue
cession, in 1908, EnelandtOok Gibraltar
and has since retained il, regarding it as
one of The keys of Europe and essential
TO her naval supremacy. BY the treaty
OF Utrecht. in 1913, the title was con-
filmed. Very naturally. however,
Spain looks upon its possession by a
foreign power as an insult and an indig-
nity and France is not half as anX-
ious to acquire Alsace and Lorraine
as Spain is to repossesss this jewel OF
her crown. The resentment of this
proud and naughty people is deep and
imrlacable and much of the national
hostility to England, despite the in
valuable aid rendered in the war against
the French, is attributable to this
incurable sore-to this frowning
and impregnable fortress on their
own soil overlooking and doml-
mating their own waters and ter
ritorv. Among Spsniards, in converse
ton with foreigners, it is a tabOoed
subject. but none the less n perpetual
irritation. When the Rock was taken
yeIy few of the Spanish inhabitants
ayailed themselves Of the privilege OF
remaining. The simple form of taking
an oath and thereby securing them
selves and property from molestation
was spurned, and abandonment OF their
homes was preferred to living under
tie English flag. The refugees formed
new community, established the town
Of San ROGUE, in sight, retaining the
archives and the title deeds OF their
uroperty. considering themselves the
representatives of the conquered city,
and awaiting the opportunity OF some
day returning end retaining their
lost homes. In all public acts the PEG
ple arc still styled "the inhabitants OF
Gibraltar residing at San Rogue.
SPANISH EFFORTS TO RFcoNoUER.
Spoin has not contented herself with
tbis idle fiction of law and usage. SIEVE
raj efforts have been made to re-
ocouire dominion and sOvereignity. In
1870 a plan Of surprise was concocted,
but il was discovered and thwarted. In
1877 another unsuccessful attempt was
made. Ia 1879 the disturbances in the
American Colonies excited hopes Of
taking advantage of highlands weak
Iess. and war was declared. The
.'Creat Siege" the fourteenth which
Gibraltar in It's eventful history has en-
countered. was begun 10y France and
Spain. and it lasted for three years
seven months nnd twelve days. This
siege. one Of the most remarkable in
militsry history, cost much treasure
and thousands of lives. The besieged
were often reduced to the severest snt-
feripg by disease and want of food.
The courage and endurance OF the men
have hardly q parallel, and the posses
zion OF the Rock in the English mind
is consecrated 10y association withmuch
valor and gallantry. When peace was
made Minorca was coded TO Spain, it
having been taken during the siege.
The failure filed Spain with despair.
During one of the attacks thousands Of
spectators, who had flocked from many
PARTS of the country, covered the sur
rounding hills to witness the fall, and
in Paris the confidence was so great
that a drama illustrative of the capture
was acted with enthusiastic applause.
Proposals for restitution have been
several times made, and whether Eng
land was ever serious in the tentative
propositions is one OF the uncertainties
Of history. In IT'S the possibility